Baseball batter&#39;s helmet with adjustable protective padding

ABSTRACT

A baseball batter&#39;s helmet includes a shell; a protective padding including a crown protective pad extending from a front to a rear, the protective pad being adhered to the shell, an arcuate rear portion formed with a rear end of the protective pad, a channel on an outer surface of the rear portion, an arcuate padding element formed with a front end of the protective pad, and two separate padding members secured to the arcuate padding element, each padding member having a releasable first fastener; and an elastic strap passed the channel and secured to the rear section, the elastic strap including a releasable second fastener at either end. In response to placing the shell on the head of a wearer, adjustably attaching each second fastener to the corresponding first fastener will vary a diameter of the protective padding until a comfort fit is achieved.

This application is a continuation of my copending application Ser. No. 11/514,367 filed Sep. 1, 2006 for “Baseball Batter's Helmet With Adjustable Protective Padding System”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to protective helmets and more particularly to a baseball batter's helmet having an elastic strap for adjusting a protective padding so as to accommodate different sizes of user's heads.

2. Related Art

Baseball helmets are required for play because a hard thrown baseball striking a batter's head may cause injury and even death. Typically, helmets are available in different sizes and a player may purchase a fit one. However, some players such as Little League players do not have individually sized helmets due to financial cause. Therefore, adjustable baseball batter's helmets are needed.

There have been numerous suggestions in prior patents for adjustable baseball batter's helmets. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,017 describes an adjustable baseball batter's helmet. In use, the head of a wearer fitted in the shell stretches a V-shaped elastic strap horizontally formed in the shell and thus the elasticity of the strap can secure the head in the shell. However, the wearer may feel a degree of discomfort to the ears after a long period of time of wearing.

Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,786 describes a one-size-fits all helmet. In use, the head of a wearer fitted in the shell stretches an “II”-shaped one piece elastic strap interconnected front and rear portions of the interior of the shell. Thus, the elasticity of the strap can secure the head in the shell. However, the wearer may also feel a degree of discomfort to the head after a long period of time of wearing.

Therefore, continuing improvements in the exploitation of adjustable baseball batter's helmet are constantly being sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a baseball batter's helmet having an elastic strap for adjusting an interior protective padding so as to fit comfortably, snugly and securely onto a wearer's head.

To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention provides a baseball batter's helmet comprising a shell including a forwardly projecting visor, two ear flaps extending downwardly and forwardly, and a rear section; padding means including a crown protective pad extending from a front to a rear, the crown protective pad being adhered to an inner surface of the shell, an arcuate rear portion formed with a rear end of the crown protective pad, a channel on an outer surface of the rear portion, an arcuate padding element formed with a front end of the crown protective pad, and two separate padding members secured to the arcuate padding element, each padding member having a releasable first fastener; and an elastic strap passed the channel and secured to the rear section, the elastic strap including a releasable second fastener at either end, whereby in response to placing the shell on the head of a wearer, adjustably attaching each second fastener to the corresponding first fastener will vary a diameter of the padding means.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of baseball batter's helmet according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled baseball batter's helmet; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a baseball batter's helmet in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a relatively rigid shell 1, an interior protective padding 2, an elastic strap 3, and a chin strap 4. Each component is discussed in detailed below.

The shell 10 is an integral member and comprises a plurality of holes 15 on its crown for ventilation, a forwardly projecting visor (not numbered), two ear flaps 12 extending downwardly and forwardly to protect the sides of the head, each ear flap 12 having an ear hole 14 adapted to communicate with a wearer's ear, and a curved rear portion 13.

The chin strap 4 has one end secured to one ear flap 12 by rivet and the other open end adapted to secure to a clasp 41 formed on the other ear flap 12 by looping. It is understood that the other end of the chin strap 4 may be secured to the other ear flap 12 by a Velcro type fastener in other embodiments.

The protective padding 2 is formed of a buffer material (e.g., foam or the like) in which one portion of the padding 2 proximate the shell 1 is formed of relatively hard buffer material and the other portion of the padding 2 proximate a wearer's head is formed of relatively soft buffer material and. The padding 2 comprises a crown protective pad 24 extending from the front to the rear, the crown protective pad 24 being adhered to an inner surface of the shell 1, an arcuate rear portion 26 having a center formed with a rear end of the crown protective pad 24, a channel 23 on an outer surface of a center of the rear portion 26, and two separate padding members 25 secured to an arcuate padding element (not numbered) formed with a front end of the crown protective pad 24.

The elastic strap 3 substantially has its center passed the channel 23. The elastic strap 3 is secured to the rear portion 13 by two rivets 31 (only one is shown). The elastic strap 3 comprises a Velcro type fastener 32 at either end.

For adjusting the size of the protective padding 2, a wearer may, after placing the helmet on the head, use both hands to adjustably attach each Velcro type fasteners 32 to a mating Velcro type fastener (not shown) formed on the padding member 25 until a comfort fit is achieved. In this position, a diameter of the protective padding 2 is decreased as compared with its original shape. Finally, secure the other end of the chin strap 4 to the clasp 41 by looping after passing the wearer's chin.

It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims. 

1. A baseball batter's helmet comprising: a shell including a forwardly projecting visor, two ear flaps extending downwardly and forwardly, and a rear section; padding means including a crown protective pad extending from a front to a rear, the crown protective pad being adhered to an inner surface of the shell, an arcuate rear portion formed with a rear end of the crown protective pad, a channel on an outer surface of the rear portion, an arcuate padding element formed with a front end of the crown protective pad, and two separate padding members secured to the arcuate padding element, each padding member having a releasable first fastener; and an elastic strap passed the channel and secured to the rear section, the elastic strap including a releasable second fastener at either end, whereby in response to placing the shell on the head of a wearer, adjustably attaching each second fastener to the corresponding first fastener will vary a diameter of the padding means.
 2. The baseball batter's helmet of claim 1, wherein each ear flap has an ear hole.
 3. The baseball batter's helmet of claim 1, further comprising a clasp formed on the other ear flap, and a chin strap having one end secured to one ear flap and the other open end adapted to secure to the clasp by looping.
 4. The baseball batter's helmet of claim 1, wherein one portion of the padding means proximate the shell is formed of relatively hard buffer material and the other portion thereof proximate the wearer's head is formed of relatively soft buffer material.
 5. The baseball batter's helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fasteners is a Velcro type fastener. 